Stress-motivated Alcohol Use as a Value-based Decision-making Process

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · Feb 15, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how stress affects people's decisions to drink alcohol. Researchers want to find out if feeling stressed makes regular drinkers want to consume more alcohol and how that decision-making process works. Participants will be placed in one of four groups: some will experience stress and have the option to drink alcohol, others will experience stress but not be allowed to drink, some will not feel stressed and can drink, and the last group will neither feel stressed nor drink. Everyone will take part in a decision-making task twice—once before and once after these experiences.

To join the study, you should be someone who drinks alcohol at least once a week and usually consumes a certain amount (four drinks for women and five for men) on occasion. However, you cannot participate if you are pregnant, have certain anxiety disorders, are currently being treated for alcohol use, or have medical conditions that make drinking unsafe. If you decide to take part, you’ll help researchers better understand the link between stress and alcohol consumption, which could lead to improved support for individuals facing similar challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Drinking alcohol at least once a week
• • Consuming 4 (female) or 5 (male) drinks in one occasion at least once a month
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• • Past or current diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• • Past or current treatment for alcohol use
• • Past or current medical condition that contraindicates alcohol use
• • Past or current reaction to alcohol that contraindicates alcohol use
• • Past or current medication that contraindicates alcohol use